kunuku shimaruku, p.o. box 407, bonaire, netherlands antilles, … · kunuku shimaruku, p.o. box...

Kunuku Shimaruku, P.O. Box 407, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles, Phone 790-6518, 786-6518, email: [email protected] Since 1994 Printed every fortnight, On-line every day, 24/7

Jane Townsend photo

Also in this issue:

Dolphins Are Back -pg. 3 Two Art Shows -pg 6 Where’s The Veg? -pg. 9

Jong Bonaire Walk-pg. 10 Two New Openings-pg.12 FORMA Chefs -pg. 12 … and much more

Bonaire Reporter- March 13-27, 2009

I n line with a reorganiza-tion, American Airlines/

American Eagle announced they would cancel their four weekly flights from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Bonaire effec-tive May 1. Passengers holding tickets after that date should contact American as soon as possible.

Eight years ago American Eagle became the first US flag airline to serve Bonaire with scheduled flights. It was very popular, especially with visitors who used their frequent flyer miles. American continues to fly to Curaçao where conven-ient connection can be made via Divi Divi Air, Insel Air, Tiara Air, Dutch Antilles Express or EZ Air to Bonaire

American Eagle’s pioneering efforts led the way for Conti-nental (flying from Newark and Houston) and Delta Airlines (flying from New York and Atlanta) to offer non-stop Bon-aire service which continue.

Plans are being reviewed for Curaçao’s Insel Air to soon offer a Curaçao-Bonaire-Miami triangle route.

Bonaire has one less fla-

mingo. The Continental flight to Newark on Saturday, March 1, was delayed five hours because it hit a fla-mingo while landing at Fla-mingo airport. Have you ever wondered how the airport got its name? Now you know. Fortu-nately, the damage was only skin deep and temporarily re-paired with body putty.

Dutch State Secretary of

Finance Jan Kees de Jager said in a letter he wrote to the Dutch

Parliament last week that the new fiscal regime for the BES islands (Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba) will be based on three elements: 1. simple in application and execution,

2. broad-based with lower tax rates,

3. a move from direct to indi-rect taxes.

De Jager calculated that the draft legislation to come to a new tax system for the three islands will go to the Second Chamber (Dutch Legislature) in the second quarter of 2009. The future tax system will be based on three legislative pro-posals: the Tax Law BES, the Customs and Excise Law BES, and the Implementation Law fiscal regime BES. Elements of the existing Antil-lean tax system will serve as the foundation. He believes that the system will be easy to use for citizens and businesses and easy to enforce for the Dutch Tax Services.

Secretary of Kingdom Rela-tions Ank Bijleveld-Schouten on her visit to the Netherlands Antilles emphasized the coop-eration between the Nether-lands and the Antilles as well as the millions of euros that will be spent on education, public safety, poverty avoid-ance and good governance. While on Bonaire she visited the Foundation for Persons with Disabilities, FKPD; the neighborhood of Antriol; and the progress to restore under-privileged housing. There was an information meeting in the Sports Hall in the evening.

Bonaire’s lockup will com-ply with the norms of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treat-ment or Punishment by April 1 confirmed Dutch State Secre-tary of Kingdom Relations Ank Bijleveld-Schouten in a letter to the Second Chamber two weeks

Table of Contents

This Week’s Stories Martina Loses Appeal 2 Dolphins are Back 3 Buchi Craane Passes 3 Two Art Shows- van der Bijl/ Ronald

Vanhoeven 6 Where’s the Vegs? 9 Second Jong Bonaire Fun-walk 10 Guest Editorial-Kingdom Integration 11 New Law Office 12 New owner Capture Photo 12 FORMA Chefs to Italy 12 Letters to the Editor: Dangerous Roads / Bad Behavior 14 Where’s Our Mail? 15 Growing Local Vegetables 18 Weekly Features Flotsam & Jetsam 2 On Island Since-Lee van Leeuwen 4 Pet of the Week (Andre) 6 Bonairean Voices (Fishing IV) 7 Sudoku Puzzle 7 BonQuiz (Roofs) 9 Sudoku Solution 9 Picture Yourself (Tokyo, Japan) 13 Classifieds 13 Reporter Masthead 13 Tide Table 13 Bubbles-Did You Know (Coral Grafts) 15 What’s Happening 16 Dining, Shopping Guides 17 Sky Park (Vernal Equinox) 19 The Stars Have It (Astrology) 19

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Letters to the Editor: [email protected] Story tip or idea: [email protected] Print and Online Advertising: [email protected] Archives: Bonairenews.com, then click on “Go to Archives” The Publisher: [email protected]

The Bonaire Reporter, P. O. Box 407, Bonaire, Neth. Antilles. Phone 790-8988 Phone 790-6518 Available on-line at:

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Printed Every Fortnight, On-line Every day, 24/7 Next edition printing on

March 25, 2009.

Ad deadline March 21

ago. The Dutch Government made available an additional €9.5 million in 2008 to improve the quality of Antillean penal facili-ties.

“We have a (policing)

situation in the BES Islands that is unique in the world - just one police corps with one chief for three islands which are located about 900 kilome-ters from each other,” said an enthusiastic John Schagen. Cur-rently, Schagen is still Chief of Police in Bonaire. Soon he will also be Chief of Police of Saba and St. Eustatius. “The BES islands, together, be-

come one special municipality, with three lieutenant governors but one police corps. Three is-lands with three different cul-tures,” Schagen said. The advan-tage of such a situation will be lower overhead because there will be just one administration center on the larger island, Bon-aire. “We will get one high-tech reporting station for all the three islands. Employees of this station must not only be acquainted with Bonaire, but also with Saba and St. Eustatius. They will be work-ing with the newest technologies, like digital road maps.” That means a new way of think-ing and a huge investment, Scha-gen said.

The “Yes-No” referendum on the political future of Curaçao is going to be held on Friday, May 15, one week later than originally planned. During a marathon meeting the Curaçao Island Council agreed with the modification of the original pro-posed date of the Referendum

Continued on page 0

Netherlands An-tilles Olympic Sprinter Churandy Martina will not be awarded a silver medal for his 200 meter effort at the Beijing Olympics. The Olympic Com-mittee of the Nether-lands Antilles (NAOC) which ap-pealed Martina’s dis-qualification was notified by the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) of the decision last Friday.

Martina was disqualified for stepping out of his lane in the 200 meter race as he chased Usain Bolt of Jamaica. Race officials did not see the infraction. The US protested and the medal was awarded to Shawn Crawford.

NAOC in the appeal argued the US protest was not filed in a timely manner; the protest appeal was on behalf of Shawn Crawford and without his consent. Crawford returned the medal to Martina.

Professor Luigi Fumagalli acted as Sole Arbitrator for the CAS. He ruled that while the CAS has jurisdiction to hear the dispute the CAS does not review decisions on the playing field unless there is clear evidence of “bad faith” or “malicious intent.

The appeal filed by NAOC against IAAF was dismissed.

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Bonaire Reporter Oct. 24-Nov. 7 2008 Page 3 Bonaire Reporter- March 13-27, 2009

W ith only five confirmed sightings from May 2007

until the beginning of February this year many people have won-dered whether the bottlenose dol-phins had deserted the island. After all of the excitement about them at this time last year, we hoped that Bonaire might have its own group of Coastal Bottlenose Dolphins. However, this February has seen a return to normal with seven con-firmed sightings compared with eight last year and five in 2007. March and April have also been good months in past years for the passage of Bottlenose Dolphins close to the drop off. Special thanks are due to our prin-cipal spotters so far this year -René Hakkenberg, Sonia Herlaar, Bar-bara Letwin and Eva van der Werf -who have kindly called when the Bottlenose Dolphins were passing,

so that we were able to enter the water and swim alongside the group for identification purposes. The February group this year seems to be at least 18 strong, with three juveniles, two of them being obviously new born. Photographs of dorsal fins have been taken to try to identify the individuals to see whether any were from the previous year’s recordings. There was unfortunate incident on February 24 when a dive boat drove over the group and, as a consequence, they stayed in deep water presumably to protect their young, instead of swimming on the surface from north to south which is their usual pattern. We would like to ask if it would be possible that all dive boats encountering the Bottlenose Dol-phins swimming from north to south along the drop off could

stay to the side of the group for observation, rather than driving through them. There is another species of dolphin seen very frequently along the west coast of Bonaire and in the water between Bonaire and Klein Bonaire and they are called Spin-ner Dolphins. These are the ani-mals that like to bow ride the boats, jump into the air around them and criss-cross the passage of the boat. It is likely that dive boat skippers might confuse the two different species. Now that the Bottlenose Dolphins have returned it would be ex-tremely helpful if anyone spotting them swimming south along the drop off could call me so that I can record, identify and track the group so that we can learn more about these animals. Call 717- 2458 or 795- 3368. If anyone would like more infor-mation about the data being col-lected I will be pleased to share it in order that we may learn more about these magnificent creatures.

Ron Sewell Bonaire Coastal Dolphin Project Mobile: 795-3368

Email: [email protected].

Gary Wirth -Colombus Indiana photo

T he Reporter extends its condolences to the family

of John Philip Frederick ‘Buchi’ Craane Sr., who passed away last Saturday in St. Maarten. Born and raised on Bonaire, Buchi left the island and his family in 1955 to captain a schooner in the Dutch Wind-ward Islands and made St. Maarten his home from then on. He spent most of his life work-ing on and around boats. His love of boats was influenced by his father, Jan Nicolaas Erasmus “Kachi” Craane (1879-1974), who was a famous Bonaire boat builder. He is survived by his children and grandchildren, many of whom live on Bonaire.

As a youngster Buchi helped his father build boats after school. As a young man, he cap-tained several of the boats his father had built, including the Endeavour and the Rainbow.

He was hired by the Central Government in 1954 and re-mained employed until an acci-dent forced him to retire in 1987 at the age of 74. For the 33 years he worked for the government, he captained numerous boats: the schooner Blue Peter, MV Antilia and MV Hertha. He be-came a harbor pilot at St. Maart-ens’s A.C. Wathey Pier in 1963 and served in that position until

1978, when he was named Har-bor Master of St. Maarten and remained in that position until he retired. It was this same dedication and contribution to the maritime sector that led the St. Maarten government to name the island’s cruise ship terminal building after him. At his funeral St. Maarten Commissioner Hey-liger told the church packed with family, friends and other mourners, “Rest assured the name ‘Buchi’ Craane will al-ways remain a fixture in the history of St. Maarten.” G.D.

Thanks to historian Bòi Antoin

for his Herensia (Heritage) series, background and photos. For more information go to http://www.extrabon.com/edishon/edishon2006/extra2006-05-20-1.pdf


“I don’t feel Dutch at all. I only feel Dutch when the

national soccer team is playing. The Dutch are so different from me. So, when people ask me where I’m from, I always say Disneyland.

I don’t have a clue what I’m do-ing actually. That’s why I went into the military, to delay my deci-sion as to what I was really going to do, and I still don’t know.

I entered the military in 1989 and I stayed there for 13 years: six years with the marines and seven with the military police. With the marines I saw the world and I never regretted it, never. I went everywhere, all over Europe, in-cluding to what was Eastern Europe at the time. I went to Ethio-pia, Eritrea and Djibouti. I stayed in Aruba for one year and I liked the Caribbean stress-free way of life. I was hardly ever in Holland.

I liked the marines, the compan-ionship, the friendships you can’t compare with any other friendship. The military police was not my thing. Everyone was working on their own careers, not me. I am a team player. I didn’t care about my career at all. I don’t take life seri-ously. Sometimes I had to give people a fine and very often I had to turn my head away because I had to laugh – not good – but I couldn’t see the seriousness of the situation. I can’t help it. Most of the time I see the sunny side of life

and if I get angry it’s only for three minutes. My mom always told me, ‘If somebody does bad to you, he’ll get it back – big time!’ I feel if I do good I’ll get it back and I’m never ill and I am really happy about that – seriously!

I was a vegetarian for 10 years before I joined the marines because I love animals. There is not one bad animal and if there is, it’s be-cause people made it that way. Animals are innocent and so often they don’t deserve the life they’re living. Like the farm animals in Holland, the majority live in a cage their whole lives. What kind of a life is that? When I lived in Spain I had discussions with people all the time about the bull fights. I hate bull fights, but the fact is that these bulls live a very good life out in the fields with lots of cows before their last day comes up and that’s a really bad day. In Holland they get

a lousy life with a good ending. If I had to choose, I would go for the Spanish way.

Well, in the marines the training is really hard and if you’re differ-ent from the rest they give you a

tough time, so then I started eating meat again.”

He jumps up and starts playing the piano, an Elvis song,“You don’t know me.” He laughs “It helps me to stay focused. I have

ADHD; I cannot concentrate at all, so study and me is not a good com-bination. That’s why I’m not a diver; you have to study a real thick book and it begins with ships that float and coins that sink and then you’ve lost me already…

In 2002 I felt my mom needed me –we’re very close - and I quit the military and went to Spain where she lived to be near her. I worked in bars and restaurants; I was an entertainer in a hotel and I

was a tour guide. In Malaga it’s slow in winter time so then I trav-eled. During the winter of 2006 I went island hopping in the Carib-bean. Bonaire was the first island and the last.

I was sitting at a restaurant and saw a real estate office across the street and just for fun I took a look at what was for sale and I saw the Swiss Chalet and had dinner there the same evening. Two days later I

(Continued on page 5)

“I hate bull fights, but the fact is that these bulls live a very good life out in the fields with lots of cows before their last day comes up and that’s a

really bad day. .. ”


bought the place. Ha! Ha! Quite impulsive! But then the money. I had a house in Spain and so my mom and her boyfriend started to make arrangements to sell the house while I stayed here working at the Old Inn restaurant and look-ing around on the island to see what kind of bar I was going to open. I had a vague idea but that was all. I knew it would be some-thing with music because I’m a music lover, especially music from the 50s to the 80s, especially Elvis Presley. On January 14, 1973, there was an Elvis concert on TV. ‘Aloha from Hawaii’ was broad-cast worldwide by satellite. I was-n’t even four years old, but my mom let me stay up to watch it and from that moment on I was an El-vis fan. I don’t know why I fell for him, but through my whole life he’s always had the right music for all my moods, when a girl broke up with me or when I was happy – there was always an Elvis song for that moment. I like Springsteen, Garth Brooks and the Blues Broth-ers. I like almost every type of music, but I don’t like Hip Hop or R & B.”

Lee is unique, a great person, daring and lots of fun, but also sensitive and extremely kind; a wonderful man.

“Anyway – where were we? Let me get my guitar so I can sit qui-etly. Okay, I worked two months at the Old Inn and I really liked the German owners. Then I went to Spain, sold my house right on time,

because two months later the Span-ish housing market collapsed.” He smiles. “I always have that little bit of extra luck.

At the opening night of the bar I had a real nice couple in, Herman and Marga, and between then and now they helped me with every-thing. Also Polar helped me a lot in the beginning and they’re still good to me because when the whole island ran out of Polar I always have it. I really appreciate it when people help me. Then Marlis (Sail and Canvas shop) told me, ‘what the island needs is a place for peo-ple our age’ – mine and hers. She said ‘a place where the music is not too loud and where people can talk’ and… it’s working well! Thank you, Marlis!

The first year I lived in a former horse shed and then I built my apartment in what used to be the kitchen here, so now I live in my bar. Since October 2008, the busi-ness is doing well. I’ve got people coming for sports – soccer, Ameri-can football, NASCAR, Formula 1 and baseball. Once a week I have a Salsa evening and after 10 o’clock at night the audience is completely different. I always say audience because I feel more of an enter-tainer than a barman. I am not the best bar, but my clients are the best! I play the guitar and the piano and I had saxophone lessons, but I’m not good at reading music. I play with my ears, Ha! Ha! You know what I mean! I love to sing, that’s why I have karaoke as well, and in the future I want to make music. I just hope my audience

won’t be too high maintenance because I’m not that good.

I’m always busy here, doing eve-rything by myself, except I’m not a handyman so when things break down, and that happens all the time, I need people to fix it for me.

For my 40th birthday I gave my-self an old motorcycle, a Yamaha Virago, to allow myself a midlife crisis. I don’t drink or smoke. I don’t surf or dive so my motorcy-cle is my hobby. Once a week I go around for an hour. I drive slowly, enjoying everything I see, enjoying the wind going through my hair – so, Mr. Henk Kamp, don’t intro-duce the helmet!

I love my work and that’s be-cause of the clientele I’m getting. To me every person is special. I speak Dutch, German, Spanish, English and a little bit of French and Indonesian, so it’s easy to communicate with all people and I always adjust my music to them. Many people come by themselves and I try to match them up so they have something to talk about to-gether. When you’re not in a rela-tionship this island can be a lonely place. Since I left the military I’ve lived my life like I have two more years to live. So, you have to work for food and shelter, but on the other

hand you have to enjoy because it might be over soon. Health, happi-ness and family are the most im-portant thing and although I’m still a child myself, I would like to have children one day when I’ve found the right partner. For now, I’ve got some real good people I can count on, I like the island and its people, I love the sea… I like it here.”

Story & photos by

Greta Kooistra

On The Island Since (Continued from page 4)

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R enate Van der Bijl's art exhibitions are

always exciting, as was the one on Friday, Febru-ary 27, at the Plaza Hotel and Resort. Attending her art exhibits is like seeing Bonaire through a kaleidoscope. Her paint-ings capture the unique beauty of the is-land and its peo-ple. Renate's flamingos give one the feeling of actually seeing them in flight. I was particularly im-pressed by her "Donkeys at Night." Renate cap-tures their plaintive ex-pressions, which is re-mindful of the fact that the donkeys are as much a part of Bonaire, as are "The Kibrahachas," also memorialized on canvas by Renate. In Renate's paintings the colors are constantly

changing from subdued to vivid, from day to night, from bright to bril-liant! "The Sunset" is a dramatic painting of a young woman looking at a Bonairean sunset. I will recall those dynamic colors on canvas every time I see a sunset. I'm sure my impressions of Renate's work echo the sentiments of many other art lovers. Renate's art exhibit was opened by our charis-matic Governor Glenn Thodé. If you missed the opening, please feel free to view the paint-ings. Renate's paintings will grace the entrance

halls of the Plaza Hotel until April 15. Take a look. Czella Donaldson

Ronald Verhoeven and Gezaghebber Glenn Thodé

Simadan by Ronald Verhoeven

A rtist Ronald Verhoeven’s

exhibit opened at Kas di Arte on March 1. Verho-even, a resident of the island since 1998, was one of the artists instru-mental in the estab-lishment of the Kas di Arte. This is his fourth exhibition on Bonaire.

As art critic Anna van der Bergt re-flects, “Verhoeven’s paintings show, like his personality, glit-ter and glamour one time, and hesitance and silence the next. His pictorial lan-guage can be unruly and hard, but also searching and mod-est. In his studio a fierce battle goes on between the painter and his materials. Verhoeven usually paints two to four canvases at the same time. Classical mu-sic and various types of incense create an inspiring mood in which he faces his canvases like a tiger. ‘I won’t let my spirit be bro-ken,’ he says. ‘Sometimes I really achieve a state of meditation, trance or feel a type of enlightenment, as if I can deal with any-thing.’”

The exhibit will be open until April 13, Monday-Friday, 10 am to 12 noon, 2-7 pm. L.D.

Governor Thodé and Renate

Kibrahacha Dancers by Renate v d Bijl

M eet “Andre,” this funny, fuzzy pup with such interesting green eyes.

Andre was found at the Papa Cornes School where he was having a wonderful time play-ing with the children. Sadly, no one came to claim him, so for his own good he was brought to the Bonaire Animal Shelter where he could be cared for. He has settled in after having been checked by the vet, given his shots and worming, but he really does miss playing with children. Andre is about two and a half months old, has a cute and quizzi-cal face and is just waiting for the right fam-ily to come along. It really would be perfect if the family had young children who could appreciate a playful pup like Andre.

You may see him and the other adoptees at the Shelter on the Lagoen Road, open Mon-day through Saturday, 9 am to 1 pm and 3 to 5 pm. Tel. 717-4989. L.D.

Photos by Thomas

Photo by Herman van Leeuwen


To solve the puzzle, enter the numbers 1 through 9 to the partially filled in puzzle without repeating a number in any row, column or 3 x 3 re-gion. Answer on page 9. Supplied by Molly Bar-tikoski-Kearney

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FISHING PART IV

This is a continuation of the subject of fishing on Bonaire.

G etting to the fourth article on the subject of fishing in Bonaire most

of you by now have reached the conclu-sion of what the problems are facing the fishermen of Bonaire and what the solu-tions should be.

But Mr. Pancratio “Pancho” Cicilia (62), who started fishing in 1969 with a small boat and today owns a bigger one, has a clever way to list all the factors about fishing.

He mentions four key problems, starting first with the way fishermen fish today. As he says, “Most fishermen today have changed their ways of fishing. In the past they did more deep water fishing, which was a hard work. They caught more Grou-pers, Dolphins, Wahoo, Rainbow Runners and Barracudas. They sought out where the fish were by putting marks out from land so they knew where certain fish were. Fishermen must know those marks to be able to fish. A lot of fishermen today

practice more superficial fishing, and what they catch is the Blue and White Marlin. They focus more on these pelagic fish that are driven by the current of the sea. These fishermen have to change their way of fishing and certainly they have to talk to more experienced fishermen.

A second problem is that microbiologi-cal creatures called planktons (food for fish) flow with the current of the Atlantic Ocean. Fish and bigger, sophisticated fishing boats are after these creatures. These boats fill big buckets with the planktons to serve as bait. They use this

bait to fish in the open sea so they catch most of the fish. What is left comes into our waters, which is the very minimum, yes, the very minimum to supply our growing population which is the third problem.

The demand is big. Everybody wants fish and if our fishermen continue with the same methods as they using today to catch fish it won’t help so much to fill the need. The fishermen need to install a fish finder or a depth sounding system, which is a modern system, in their boats . If the boat has a deck this can be a very ade-quate system.

And the fourth problem is that we don’t have enough experienced fishermen in Bonaire. Some are doing this as a hobby. In the past we had a lot of fishermen who were fishing as their profession, but not today. We have just a few.

More than 15 years ago Constantino “Doei” Diaz and I got the idea of starting a fishermen’s co-op, for several reasons. First is to change the technical part of fishing, to give the fishermen the chance to catch more fish, and in turn, have more income to help their families.

Secondly, the co-op can pay for their health and life insurance. Thirdly, they can raise funds to be able to

send their children for advanced study in or outside Bonaire.

Fourth, they can get fishing equipment at a cheaper price. The experience that I had when I was in Saint Lucia was excel-lent for the fishermen. They get gasoline and gas oil at a reduced price.

Fifth, we can do that here too. My main goal is to establish a new board for this co-op. Call a meeting and have all the fish-ermen register for this co-op, starting with the owners of the fishing boats. Give the fishermen all the information they need so they are able to understand their rights and obligations.”

So as you see, some fishermen are head-ing for action. We can sit around and wait for the fish to come to us. We have to learn to go where they are and get to them. Let’s hope all who are in charge - the LVV, DROB and STINAPA-can give a helping hand to make this happen.

All of us deserve the best: the Bonairean fishermen who are doing the fishing and you and me who love to have it on our plate. Story & photo by Siomara E. Al-bertus

Send your comments to

The Bonaire Reporter, P.O. Box 407, Bonaire, or email

reporter @bonairenews.com.

Pancratio “Pancho” Cicilia

Kaminda Lagun 24A, Tel 717-4255

Dierenartsen team: Drs. Arie Binksma Drs. Hans & Etty Lambeek Drs. Seib Fietsma Drs. Ytzen v.d. Werf

Next to the Animal Shelter Banda di Dierenaisel Naast het Dierenaisel

The clinic is open from: Klinika ta habri di: De kliniek is geopened van:

Consulting Monday, Wednesday and Friday 13:30-14:30 Hours Tuesday, Thursday 17:00-17:30; Saturday 11.00-12.00 or by appointment every day available 24 hours a day, including weekends: Tel. 790-6001 Orario: djaluna, djarason i djabierne 13:30-14:30 djamars i djaweps 17:00-17:30; djasabra 11.00-12.00 of sigun sita tur dia 24 ora pa dia disponibel, tambe den wikent: Tel. 790-6001 Spreekuur: maandag, woensdag en vrijdag 13:30-14:30 dinsdag en donderdag 17:00-17:30; zaterdag 11.00-12.00 of volgens afspraak elke dag 24 uur per dag bereikbaar, ook in het weekend: Tel. 790-6001

Newly appointed commissioner, Jefferey Levenstone speaks with a group of Bon-aire’s fishermen about their problems. His responsibilities include General and

Judicial Affairs, State Structure, Economic and Labor Affairs, Tourism, Govern-ment Enterprises and Personnel He pledged to improve communications.

Bonaire government photo Siomara Albertus photo


Committee Curaçao (RCC), which was May 8th, two days before Mother’s Day. A “Yes” means that Curaçao will accept financial supervision and Justice leader-ship from Holland in return fro the Dutch takeover of the island’s debts. “No” means no acceptance of the terms and Dutch law-makers say no financial bailout either.

The Central Bureau of Statistics re-ported that the consumer price index for Bonaire rose sharply towards the end of last year. It rose 2.4% in August 2008, higher from the previous June; in October 1.8% higher than in August; and in De-cember 0.7% higher than in October. Measured over the whole year, 2008 prices were 5.5% up from 2007.

On March 15 the Bonaire Rotary Club will hold their Rotarally, annual road rally. The start will be at 9 am at the Sport Hall on Kaya Amsterdam (next to Akkermans Toyota). Beginning at 2 pm there will be a BBQ at the finish at Man-gazina di Rei in Rincon. Tickets are avail-able from Rotary member Philip Joukes at 701-1100 for NAƒ 50 for the rally which includes two tickets for the BBQ.

The Stichting Dierenbescherming (Bonaire Animal Welfare Foundation ) purchased two big dog traps for which Rocargo sponsored the transportation and handling costs. This enables the Founda-tion to catch stray dogs that are unap-proachable otherwise. If you know of ani-mals that need to be picked up either for sterilization or because of ill health phone the Animal Shelter (717-4989). They hope to initiate a new beginning in getting the island’s animal situation under better control. Submitted by Louise Rood

The euro is getting weaker against the dol-lar. Good news as the BES islands start to convert from NAƒ to $.

Maduro & Curiel’s Bank (Bonaire) has launched an effort to promote, stimulate and facilitate small businesses on the island in cooperation with the Center for Small Business. Priority will be given to owners who promote new products or technology. Business sectors include production, sales, service and

more. Loans up to NAƒ 50.000 are possible at a favorable 7½% interest. To learn more contact Maduro & Curiel’s Bank (Bonaire) N.V. Department of Small Business (Tel.: 715-5579, 715-5532) or the Center for Small Busi-ness (Tel.: 717-2812, 717-2813).

There is no evading the consequences of the economic hurricane that lashes countries all around the world, says MCB in its annual re-port. However, during 2008, a year in which major US and Euro-pean banks suffered massive losses, the MCB Group of banks booked a net profit of 144.85 million guilders after taxes This was an increase of 36% com-pared to 2007, accord-ing to the bank’s finan-cial statement. These earning are shared with the commu-nities the bank serves. MCB made 4,000 do-nations last year for a total amount of almost 3 million guilders.

Want to find out first-hand what Bon-aire’s restaurants offer at a bargain price? Then remember Sunday, March 15 and be at Wilhelmina Park be-tween 5 to 9 pm for the start of this season’s “Taste of Bonaire” - Bonaire’s restaurants offer sample dishes, NAƒ 7,50 each.

Correction: Riet Sealy, head of SEBIKI, wrote to correct us and say that while Minister Rouvoet and his representative visited Jong Bonaire, and the Maria Hopp-ner Foundation they did not visit SEBIKI as we reported in our story in the last issue “Help For Bonaire Youngsters.” The Re-porter apologizes for the error. G./L.D.

Flotsam and jetsam (Continued from page 2)

B e pampered for breakfast or lunch by youngsters in training for the world of the professional restaurant business by the

Stichting Project. Delicious menu, Good prices On Kaya Gob. N. Debrot –opposite the Divi Flamingo Hotel

Open: Wednesday to Friday 9.00-14.00 See you soon!

The Bonaire ruling party, the UPB (green), announced a reshuffling of its current political office holders:

Central Government:

James Kroon and Ramonsito Booi resigned as members of the Antillean Parliament. Former commis-sioners Anthony Nicolaas and Onny Emerenciana will take their places in the Parliament.

The current State Secretary of Home Affairs, Hubert Martis, has been nominated to replace Elvis Tjin Asjoe as Minister of Economic Affairs. Martis’ successor will be Noris Gomez, who was once state secretary.

Island Government: The new commissioners replacing Burney El Hage, Anthony Nicolaas and Francisco ‘Boy’ Clarenda

will be Elvis Tjin Asjoe (responsibilities: Public Health and Hygiene, Finance, Environment, Public Transport including the airport and harbor and Internal Affairs), Jefferey Levenstone, the former in-terim head of DEZA (responsibilities: General and Judicial Affairs, State Structure, Economic and La-bor Affairs, Tourism, Government Enterprises and Personnel) and James Kroon (responsibilities: DROB, Social and Neighborhood Affairs, Sports, LVV, Protocol and Information Services). Maritiza Silberie was the only current commissioner to stay on. She remains in charge of Education and Culture, Land Rights, Mail and Archives, Lottery and the Fire Department.

Ramonsito Booi, who is the UPB party leader, in explaining the reorganization, said, “Every period

asks for a new approach. After the (last) elections we set up a team to execute the will of the people for a direct tie with the Netherlands. That process was completed with the Round Table Conference of De-cember 15 and a new period has now started that requires changes in the executive positions.”

The members of the Bonaire Island Council: Commissioners Tjin Asjoe, Kroon, Levenstone, Gov-ernor Thodé, Island Secretary Gonzalez, Commissioner Silberie

Last Wednesday, The SBO had their annual motivation day at Lac. The stu-dents played games and the winners were awarded a BBQ for 12 persons, at Bobbe-jans. Litania Cicilia (wearing the red T-shirt) won the big prize with her group, Ad-ministration level 3 second class.

Government Photos


Puzz

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n pa

ge 7

637 548 912 859 271 436 214 396 785 175 469 823 398 752 164 426 813 579 581 634 297 762 985 341 943 127 658

SOLUTION TO DO YOU SUDOKU?

Test your knowledge of Bonaire

T he period after 1867, when settlers were allowed to re-side and build their humble homes on Bonaire, was one

of trial and error, as you might imagine: building a home, de-ciding which style architecturally, how to build. But certain aspects were common during construction, for example, to build east and west with the sun and north and east to the wind. Take a look at any ‘old ‘ home on Bonaire and you will see, time and time again, that the sun will not be a nuisance through the windows on the east side nor when it sets on the western side, and that the wind will always blow freely through the doors and windows of a home from the north east. In other words, win-dows were placed on the eastern and western sides of the home, and the doors usually on the north-ern and southern sides of the house. Ovens were almost al-ways built on the western side of the struc-ture so that the heat and smoke could be car-ried off by the trade winds.

Question: Which product, used on the

homes of well-to-do families, came to Bon-aire as ballast? Find the answer on page 13.

BonQuiz appears regularly in The Reporter. It’s prepared by Christie Dovale of Christie Dovale Island Tours. Contact her to arrange a tour, Phone 717-4435 or 795-3456 or email: [email protected] Comments and suggestion are welcome.

Christie Dovale

Like to have a good income on your house?

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We are in urgent need for quality houses for both long term and holiday rental.

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L ast week the shoppers at Warehouse Bonaire Supermarket were greeted by signs apologizing for empty shelves and requesting customers to help by contacting

their elected officials to correct the problem. The problem is caused by cruise ships using the cargo piers on days the supply boat is

scheduled to arrive from Curaçao to unload. Most of Bonaire’s food and other products arrive by the RO/RO (Roll On/Roll Off shipping container) ships. When one or two of the mammoth cruise ships are in port, access to the pier is impossible. The supply chain to Bonaire is via ocean-going ships to Curaçao. Most arrive on Tuesday and/or Wednes-day. There the containers are transferred to the RO/RO ship, usually the Don Andres, and sailed to Bonaire. Last week cruise ships were in port all day Thursday and Friday so no deliveries and empty shelves. The problem could be alleviated by docking and unloading in the evening, but the labor agreements do not permit this.

Many feel that cruise ship tourism benefits Bonaire economically, but the shop owners and most shoppers feel the island must solve its port access problem. The long supply chain from the US and Holland makes it difficult enough to keep markets stocked. Blocked ports create inconvenience for Bonaireans and hurt Bonaire’s businessmen.

G.D.

Warehouse Bonaire’s properly stocked vegetable department shelves

Warehouse Bonaire shelves last week

Warehouse Bonaire photos


E-mail: [email protected]

• • Garden Design Construction Maintenance • • Garden Shop

Irrigation needs Fertilizers Mulch Insecticides Ant killer Herbs Holiday gifts

Kaya Industria, Behind TIS 717-8310, 566-6033, Fax 717-3720

Mega Garden Center Open every Weekday

Also Open Saturdays 9 to 1

Choose from 460 different types of plants

T he second Jong Bonaire Fun Walk & Bike on March 1 was a big success

with 86 adults and 11 kids participating (61 walkers and 36 bikers).

The route covered 20 km. for the walkers

and 37 for the riders. The fastest adult participant by bike was

Bradley Swanson in 1 hour and 40 minutes. Nazario Alberto (the North Salina Roadrun-ner) was the fastest one walking in 2 hours and 38 minutes. The fastest kid, Percy Pru-dencia, did the biking route in 2 hours and 40 minutes. Amber Lensink was the fastest walking kid in 3 hours and 15 minutes.

This year personnel of two companies

joined the fundraiser- Warehouse Bonaire and Cargill Salt. Jong Bonaire hopes that next year more companies will follow this example.

Jong Bonaire would like to convey its sincere appreciation and gratitude for mak-ing the 2nd Jong Bonaire Fun Walk & Bike a very successful fundraising event. This success is thanks to our sponsors (Caribbean Homes, Millennium Inn, Rich-ard’s Restaurant, Bobbejans BBQ, Lions Den Restaurant, TIS-The Island Supplier, Larry’s Bakery and the Tropical Flamingo supermarket), volunteers, parents, children of Jong Bonaire and all participants who were present at the 2nd Jong Bonaire Fun Walk.

Visit the website for more pictures of the

2nd Fun Walk & Bike: www.jongbonaire.org Lisa Marchena

Jona, Judith (pictured above), Paco and other Jong Bonaire staff and members all contributed to the warm feeling that permeated the event.

The refreshment stations were many and served not only water but juice, oranges and watermelon. At the finish line at Jong Bonaire participants sat around discussing the event and enjoying their choice of fish or chicken salad. Be there next year.

Jong Bonaire photo

Jong Bonaire photo

Willemstoren Light- the farthest point


Owned and operated by Pablo Palacios and family

Creators of Argentine cuisine on Bonaire

Open for dinner every day except Monday in the Lighthouse at The Harbour Village Marina

Call 717-7725 for reservations www. patagoniarestaurant.com [email protected]

Kaya Grandi 29 Kralendijk

Phone 717-5107

New Stock New Styles

Men, Women and Children

A fter a direct link between the Netherlands and the BES islands

is established, these islands will have the status of Dutch communities. However, due to the 9,000 km geographic separa-tion and completely different local condi-tions, a number of important laws, regu-lations, and finances (including the use of the US dollar rather than the euro), will not apply on Bonaire.

A parallel situation is the current status of

overseas territories of France, another for-mer colonial power in our region. We can see that these territories, unlike the BES islands, really do form an integral part of the French Republic. This is illustrated by the fact that the flights between these territories are considered as domestic flights and there is no immigration or customs control of the passengers.

I always wondered why, when traveling between the Dutch Caribbean islands, which are all parts of the Kingdom of the Nether-lands, for example between Aruba and Bon-aire, you are subjected to control as a for-eigner and tax has to be paid for imported goods.

Take for example, French Guiana, the only non-island overseas territory of France, located between Suriname and Brazil. Offi-cially, the status of French Guiana as a col-ony ended in 1946 when it became, like other overseas departments, a region of France. The only political change has been that two elected councils – the General Council and the Regional Council – have administered local affairs since that time. The President of the Regional Council is the single representative of French Guiana

in the French senate and two deputies serve in the French National Assembly. As an integral part of France, French Guiana be-longs to the European Union and the Euro is the official currency as in all other 25 re-gions of the country. Also the French social security is in place. A Prefect, always a Frenchman from the “metropole” (European France), is the representative of the French President. Unlike the Commissioner of the Queen of the Netherlands for the BES is-lands, the Prefect of French Guiana has also executive power, being head of the police and gendarmerie. He also wears a uniform.

Unlike the BES islands, French Guiana is a territory with enormous strategic value. The ideal location of the European space rocket launch site – only 5 degrees north of the Equator where the earth rotation is fast-est – allows satellites to be placed in orbit with 15% less fuel than those launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

During my regular visits to French Guiana in connection with various infrastructural projects planned particularly by the space center and two ports of the country, I came in contact only with officials from the “metropole.” Practically my only contact with local people was with persons working in lower positions in my hotel, particularly waiters and room maids. A small local con-tractor I met during a visit to a construction site complained to me that the French pull the strings in all that is happening in the country and that the power of the both men-tioned councils is very limited.

There is a growing movement towards changing the status of French Guiana. The dream of the local inhabitants has been to get a status like Puerto Rico has within the

US. In Cayenne, the country’s capital, I once saw a street demonstration for change of the political status. (See the photo I took at that occasion). A green and yellow flag (the same colors as that of neighboring Bra-zil) with a red star was carried in front of the marching people. It was the only occa-sion when I saw this flag of autonomous French Guiana. Only French flags can be seen on government and other buildings like hotels.

Although the country is rich in natural resources, the unemployment rate is now about 30%, 10% more than on the French islands in the Caribbean. The main reason why there have been no street riots in French Guiana as there have been recently on Guadeloupe and Martinique, is that the local inhabitants are, unlike on those is-lands, composed of several different ethnic groups, and there is no organized pro-autonomy movement. Anyway, the fact is that the economic situation of French Guiana would certainly be still much worse

without the French presence, particularly without the Space Center because its spin-offs account for full 50% of the local econ-omy. Although the pro-independence move-ment is relatively very weak, the first sight I got driving from the airport to Cayenne during my last visit was a blue sign along the road with an almost unreadable inscrip-tion FRANCE, covered with black paint. Editorial & photo by Jiri Lausman

Jiri Lausman is a retired civil engineer, born in Prague, living as a Dutchman the last almost 40 years, 18 of them in Aruba. Before his retirement, he worked as the manager in Latin America and the Carib-bean for a large Dutch construction company. He has a home on Bon-aire.

Dutch and French Integration of Overseas Territories

The opinions in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the editorial opinion of this newspaper.


Open:

Mon-Fri: 8-6 Sat. 8am-1pm NONSTOP

B onaire’s former

Public Prosecutor, Ernst Wesselius, has joined the firm of David Kock Legal as its Bonaire attorney.

He recently

joined the Kock firm which has been listed as law-yers permitted to defend the accused in criminal court. In addition he will practice civil law and offer full legal services

Offices are up-

stairs in the Les Galeries Mall, Suite L-20, towards the front of the build-ing overlooking Kaya L.D. Gerharts. Tele-phone 717-8587, www.davidkock.

com. G.D.

Attorney Wesselius with secretary, Cora Held

David Kock (l.) with his associates Ronald Wix (Aruba), Noraine Pietersz (Curaçao) and Ernst Wesselius (Bonaire)

C apture Photo had a grand open-ing under its new owner at The

Dive Inn last Saturday. The new owner is Nina Cicila (at right in the photo), who was a staff video-grapher for Cap-ture Photo when it operated at the Divi Flamingo Resort. Capture Photo opened in 2007 under the management of Kathy Lapsys. It was an affiliate of the SubAquatic Camera Repair Company in California owned and operated by Dan Blodget. After operating for about a year the business was offered for sale. One day Cathy mentioned it to Nina, who was

very interested in becoming the new owner. With the help of RBTT Bank, she made it a reality.

Frederique Schreurs, who was Nina’s colleague at Divi, is on the photo shop’s staff along with Zsuzsanna Pusztai.| “Capture” will con-

tinue to offer a full line of underwater photography and videography services as well as photo instruction. The shop is located at The Dive Inn, an affiliate of Dive Friends, on the waterfront at down-town Chachacha Beach. Phone 717-6151 or 786-2067. The website is wwwcap-turecaribbean.com. G.D.

God’s help is requested at the Grand Opening of Bonairean-owned Capture Photo

O n March 2, 10 youngsters from FORMA, accompanied by teachers and an interpreter, departed to continue their studies in Bologna, Italy. They will

spend three weeks studying the cuisine of that country. Traveling were: Nathaly Adamus, Stellinda Engelhart, Dianina Lambert, Gloria Lont, Rosa

Marchena, Sertiva Mercera, Sharily Nicolaas, Joey v/d Ree, Migaila and Mirchonella Winklaar. Teachers were Ezzy Semeleer and Soraida Mensché. Miguel Saragoza, a previous student in the SBO program now studying to be a chef in Holland, went along to translate and provide an orientation. FORMA photo & press release


Who’s Who on The Bonaire Reporter Take The Reporter Home—1-year subscription: By mail to US $65; By mail to Europe $130. By Internet $25 donation. For information about subscriptions, sto-ries or advertising in The Bonaire Reporter, PO Box 407, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles; phone (599) 790-6518, 786-6125, E-mail: [email protected]

The Bonaire Reporter, George DeSalvo, Publisher. Laura DeSalvo, Editor in Chief. Address: P. O. Box 407, Bonaire, Neth. Antilles. Available on-line at: www.bonairereporter.com Published every two weeks

Reporters: Reporters: Siomara Albertus, Czella Donaldson, Christy Dovale, Jack Horkheimer, Molly Kearny-Bartikoski, Greta Kooistra, , Dabney Lassiter, Jiri Laus-man, Lisa Marchena, Louise Rood, Ron Sewell, Michael Thiessen, Jane Townsend.

Distribution: Yuchi Molina (Rincon), Elisabeth Silberie (Playa) Housekeeping: JRA. Printed by: DeStad Drukkerij, Curaçao

©2009 The Bonaire Reporter

Bonaire Reporter Classifieds— Are still free

Got something to buy or sell?

Non-Business Classified Ads (up to 4 lines/ 20± words): FREE

Commercial Ads only NAƒ1 per word, for each two-week issue. Call 790-6518 or 790-6125 or email [email protected]

Large Henderson, neutrally buoy-ant, Trilam wetsuit. Never worn, still has tag. Cost new US$285. Will sell for US$175. 717-2208

——————————————- FOR SALE: Aluminum SCUBA

tanks– 2 (two), 63ft3 . Hydro good ‘till 2012-$70 for both. Call Stuart at 786-4471 ‘till March 15.

————————————— FOR SALE. Orthopedic double

pillowtop California King mattress set ( 183 X 213 cm) with frame, mat-tress pad, and cotton sheets. 788-3837

————————————— FOR RENT Studio- excl utilities-

end Feb. Also 2 bedroom apt-2nd

floor-excl utilities-end March PLS CALL AFTER 6pm 795-3456

————————————— I’m looking for land in Bonaire. I

want to build my house. Alex Sala-zar Tel.: 707-7007

————————————— I am trying to find a Bonaire license

plate for our wedding date: 11-23-05. I will pay $10 for plate 1123 of any year or $25 for 1123 if it is from 2005. We will be in Bonaire from Feb.28 til Mar. 14. Call 786-2845.

————————————— 4 New Porch Chair Cushions from outdoor fabric, white and blue

stripes, made in USA, 50x123 cm, bought on Aruba for f 149 each now for f 99 each- Call 717-3876

————————————— For Sale – 1990 Toyota Starlet

Parts Car – Best Offer Call 786 3134 —————————————

Wanted – 2000 Toyota Wanted– Truck or Car—must be in great working condition. Call 786 3134

—————————————

Put your ad here and get re-sults fast. Commercial ads are

inexpensive

—————————————

Tel (599) 791-6272 / 785-6272 [email protected] www.outdoorbonaire.com

JANART GALLERY Kaya Gloria 7, Bonaire Local Art, Art Supplies, Framing, and Art Classes. Open Tu.-We.-Th. & Sat 10 am- 5 pm Fri-day 1- 7 pm; or phone 717-5246 for appt.

IS YOUR HOUSE NEW TO YOU? Make it more livable from the start. FENG SHUI CONSULTATIONS

Also interior or exterior design advice, clearings, blessings, energy, healing,

China-trained. Experienced. Inexpensive. Call Donna at 795-9332.

BONAIRENET

The leading consumer and business in-formation source on Bonaire. Telephone (599) 717-7160. For on-line yellow pages directory information go to http://www.yellowpagesbonaire.com

CAPT. DON’S ISLAND GROWER Trees and plants, Bonaire grown. 8000m2 nursery. Specializing in garden/septic pumps and irrigation. Kaminda La-goen 103, Island Growers NV (Capt. Don & Janet). 786-0956

Bonaire Images Elegant greeting cards and beautiful boxed note cards are now available at Chat-N-Browse next to Lover’s Ice Cream and Sand Dollar Grocery. Photography by Shelly Craig www.bonaireimages.com GREAT CLEANING SERVICE

For Quality House and Office Cleaning ……. CALL JRA

Serving Bonaire for more than 15 years Honest, Reliable, Efficient, Thorough, Low rates, References. One time or many

Phone 785-9041 … and relax.

LUNCH TO GO Starting from NAƒ6 per meal. Call CHINA NOBO 717-8981. Web site: www.chinanobobonaire.com

Massages With Natural Body Balance and Re-laxation - Physical prob-

lems/Relaxing/Shoulder/Neck/ Foot. Reflex/Salt Scrub. New: Achiatsu Mas-sage Call for Appointment 785-0006/ 786-9887 /www.livetolivebonaire.com

Lisette &Sameh Private yoga classes call Louise 717- 7021 or 700-9422.

CLASSES in silver- smithing, stone setting and the art of beading. Call Louise at 717-7021 or 700-9422.

CALL TO LOCAL

ARTISTS Looking for artists to lead workshops

@ BONAIRE BASICS All mediums ~ contact eveline @ EV-ELINE; body, mind, spirit 788-1058

The clay tiles used as ballast on Dutch sail-ing ships were recy-cled to protect the roofs of Bon-aire buildings

Question on Page 9

DATE Time Ht. Time Ht. Time Ht. Time Ht. ` COEF 3-13 2:51 1.7FT. 11:24 1.1FT. 16:36 1.2FT. 17:33 1.2FT. 91 3-14 3:49 1.7FT. 13:02 1.0FT. 83 3-15 4:43 1.8FT. 14:15 0.9FT. 72 3-16 5:42 1.8FT. 15:06 0.8FT. 61 3-17 6:30 1.8FT. 15:50 0.8FT. 49 3-18 7:21 1.8FT. 16:22 0.8FT. 39 3-19 8:01 1.8FT. 16:51 0.8FT. 32 3-20 8:39 1.8FT. 17:21 0.9FT. 31 3-21 9:22 1.8FT. 17:42 0.9FT. 36 3-22 1:49 1.2FT. 9:57 1.7FT. 17:56 1.0FT. 23:38 1.3FT. 44 3-23 3:35 1.2FT. 10:33 1.6FT. 18:02 1.0FT. 23:38 1.3FT. 55 3-24 4:46 1.2FT. 11:19 1.6FT. 17:59 1.1FT. 23:54 1.4FT. 65 3-25 0:06 1.5FT. 6:06 1.2FT. 12:00 1.5FT. 17:46 1.1FT. 76 3-26 0:38 1.6FT. 7:36 1.1FT. 12:52 1.3FT. 17:27 1.2FT. 84 3-27 1:13 1.7FT. 9:30 1.1FT. 14:07 1.2FT. 16:58 1.1FT. 90

KRALENDIJK TIDES (Heights in feet, FT) Remember: Winds and weather can further influence the local tide’s height and time

WIN GREAT PRIZES! Take a copy of The Bonaire Reporter with you on your next trip or when you return to your home. Then take a photo of yourself with the newspaper in hand. THE BEST PHOTOS OF THE YEAR WILL WIN THE PRIZES. Mail photos to Bonaire Reporter, Box 407, Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles (AN). E-mail to: [email protected].

Cynthia Sachs (left) in Tokyo, Japan, with The Bonaire Reporter. Cynthia is the daughter of Pat and Rob Sachs, homeowners for 20 years at Lighthouse Beach Resort. .

Therese Rosier of Bonaire

photographed “in stocks” in Medina,

Malta. We are pleased to award her

the 2008 Picture Yourself Grand Prize of a dinner at the awesomely delicious Patago-nia Restaurant.


DANGEROUS ROAD Dear Editor,

We have just returned from several delightful weeks on Bonaire and look forward to our return. However, some-thing needs to be done about the speed-ing and reckless drivers on E.G.G Blvd. in Belnem. During our short visit, we saw a terrible accident near Donkey Beach and also learned that the beloved pet at Hotel Roomer was fatally run down. Just getting in our car or putting scuba tanks in the bed of a truck along the narrow road could be dangerous. One misstep or a failure to be exceed-ingly vigilant could result in being hit by a speeding car or a huge construction vehicle driving down the middle of E.G.G. Blvd. Elevated traffic slowing bumps or ramps similar to those at the airport need to be installed near the Bellafonte Condos and another near the Hotels BelMar and Roomer. Speeding citations should be issued when appropriate. I understand a petition was circulated and presented to the government asking for such improvements, but no action has been taken. It would be pity to wait until someone is injured, or worse killed, along E.G.G. Blvd. before taking action.

Jinger Wallace

BAD BEHAVIOR

Dear Editor: We love to visit (24 years) the island

but are growing concerned about what we saw Saturday, Feb 14. A group of young males were at Sunset Beach throwing beer bottles at coconut trees, trying to dislodge the fruit.

The bottles were going everywhere and many broke into pieces. What a terrible way to treat these natural re-sources! These children need someone as parents, school etc. to redirect their activities to something positive and learn to respect the island.

Maybe it's time for a bottle deposit! Janet and Matt

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Bonaire/Sabadeco -

T hose days, back in the 70s of the past century, Benito lived in Cara-

cas, Venezuela. One of his friends owned a real motorcycle, made in West-Germany: a BMW 750 cc four stroke two cylinder. Benito really liked his friend’s motorcycle. The bike was nicely designed. The engine ran smooth and quiet, the motorcycle was very comfort-able and low on maintenance because of the cardan (driveshaft) and the use of the best materials. In the opinion of Benito and his friend this type of motorcycle was also very safe because of the two horizontal mounted cylinders protecting the driver in case of an accident. So it did not take much time for Benito to get con-vinced by his friend: in 1974 Benito bought his first and brand new 750 cc BMW motorcycle from the official dis-tributor in Caracas. Founded in 1916 as an aircraft engine factory (the BMW logo represents a pro-peller of an airplane), the Bayerische Motoren Werke entered the motorcycle trade in 1921 with a proprietary engine, a 493 cc flat twin cylinder side valve model. In 1923 their first complete own built motorcycle was shown in Paris: The BMW R32. BMW have never (until very recently) built a motorcycle without a shaft drive, with a separate gearbox or with a twin cylinder engine not transversely mounted. The integrity of the 1923 de-sign is proved by the fact that it is still the basis of one of the world’s most pres-tigious and best selling makes. More than 80 years later Benito’s present motorcy-cle, a BMW R90S, was also built with a shaft drive and a gearbox fitted to the boxer twin engine. “Back in 1974,” Benito explains, “things were completely different. Motorcycling was not that popular yet. There was not that much traffic on the roads and riding a motorcycle was relatively safe. My friend and I really liked our BMWs. We both owned a 750 cc boxer twin and we used the bike for everyday transport and for fun. After work, on the weekends and during the holidays we drove with our

bikes around Caracas, through the mountains, to Colonia Tovar and to the sea. Our bikes were really a pleasure to drive and they proved to be very safe and reliable. Although I really liked my 750 cc horizon-tal twin I traded it in at the Cara-cas distributor for a brand new BMW R900S in 1976. Biking got more popu-lar in the second part of the 70s. This motorcycle was even more comfortable and more powerful. I think I bought the bike for some $4,500. Nowadays a new BMW model goes for about $18,000 to $20,000. This R90S is still completely original. Of course I changed the tires a few times and a new battery was installed, but all the other parts of the bike are completely original. Once I had my BMW resprayed to the original specifications. That is all!” And indeed, Benito’s R900S looks very much original. Nobody messed with the bolts and nuts. The exhaust pipes and mufflers are completely original, the Dellorto carburetors are original, the electric wires are ok, the service manuals are there, and under the buddy seat we even find the original tools in a pouch! Benito continues, “The sensation of rid-ing a motorcycle is really exhilarating! The feeling of freedom, the smell of the machine combined with the smells of nature, the power of the boxer engine, controlled by your right hand, the mag-nificent sound produced by the nicely designed exhaust system. You cannot

compare riding a motorcycle to driving a car. Even a sports car does not come close! The design of the bike makes it relatively safe. Some four or five times in the last 34 years I fell with the bike or I had a small accident. Always the oppo-site mounted cylinders protected my legs. I never even had a scratch!”

In 1995 Benito and his family came to the island of Bonaire. They brought the motorcycle with them. Now the bike is about 34 years old but it is still as reli-able as ever. The BMW R90S is a much sought after collectors’ item now. The value of a model in an A-condition is still about $4,500. The price you had to pay for a new example in 1976.

Story & photo by Jan Brouwer

The 42nd of a series of Bonaire Reporter articles by J@n Brouwer, featuring some of Bonaire’s interesting vehicles that are “on wheels.”

Benito’s son, Derek, sitting on his father’s BMW motorcycle .


From Bonaire Nautico Marina

BONAIRE NAUTICO MARINA At It Rains Fishes Restaurant

Call Henk at 560-7254 / Bob 786-5399 www.bonairenauticomarina /VHF 68

[email protected]

Water/115/220V & Cable TV Dinghy tie-up at north-inside dock

US$10 weekly from Saturday to Saturday. Pay at Kantika di Amor water taxi daily 10 am, 12, 2 pm. Sundays 10 am only.

Your boat name will be recorded.

THE ONLY WALKON / WALKOFF

Catamaran Kantika di Amor NO CLIMBING!

Trips daily via resorts at 10 am, 12, 2 pm Except Sunday at 10 am only

TRIPS Every Day

Did You Know… In 1979, human experimental studies were begun to assess the use of coral as a possible alternative in human bone grafts1. These studies showed that the biological make up of coral allowed real bone to grow over the graft and eventu-ally heal the bone. After the coral is put through a thorough purification process it can be used for orthopedic surgery, maxillo-cranio-facial surgery, and neu-rosurgery. Nathan Landry

1.Citing: J. L. Patat and G. Guillemin.

Natural coral used as a replacement biomaterial in bone grafts. 1989. NCBI. 34(3):221-5.

Landry is studying

Tropical Marine Ecol-ogy at CIEE Research Station Bonaire. He is a marine biology ma-jor at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth.

US$469, 000 ANG 830,130

Price Cut: Call 599 717-5539, email: [email protected] Web: www.harbourtownbonaire.com

N ot having received a bill from Telbo for a while, or any other

mail to speak of, I decided to investigate the inner workings of Bonaire’s postal system.

I spoke first with the Supervisor for the Bonaire Post Office and learned that our local operation comes under the purview of the government in Curaçao. That’s who decides whether more employees are needed, if equipment needs updating, and whether other changes or improvements that our Bonaire post office requests are valid. Judging from what I observed later on my visit it became apparent that requests to Curaçao for upgrades are falling on deaf ears. However, let me state right here that that’s my personal opinion based on what I saw, not anything that was said by any postal employees. Having said that, let’s see what’s happening in the world of Bonaire’s postal service.

As you know, buying a stamp on Bonaire requires patience and time (editor’s note: as it is in other parts of the world). You wait a while for your turn in line, perhaps wonder-ing how old you’ll be when you finally get to purchase that stamp, so it’s quite apparent that one need to be met ASAP is the hiring of another cashier to work the front line. And if you live in Hato, Sabadeco, or Bel-nem another urgent need is the addition of one more mail route driver. The small num-ber of drivers is probably the cause of your wondering why no one is writing to you – even Telbo has forgotten you and doesn’t send a bill. You wonder why this is and point your hostile finger at the post office.

Let me assuage that hostility by relating to you the following. I was taken on a ‘behind the scenes’ tour of the inner work-ings of that little yellow building. Upon entering the work area I felt as though I had been absorbed into a time warp and was looking at how a post office worked in 1932. The first thing I saw was a mountain

of envelopes surrounded by stacks of pack-ages. Three people were buried under these overwhelming piles, carefully sorting enve-lopes and putting them in their proper pi-geonholes. By hand! Each box making up these piles contained about 1,000 pieces of mail to be sorted. Here’s the process: read the name and address on the envelope and put it in the correct slot; read the name and address on the envelope and put it in the correct slot. Over and over again, ad nauseum. Can anyone say, “Let’s mecha-nize”? It had been hoped that when the Canadian Post Office took over running our postal system that good things would hap-pen. However the feedback I got was, “They took our money and gave us nothing.” Now the management is back in the hands of Curaçao. It’s hoped that when we become a municipality of Holland that the ‘M’ word will mean home delivery and more.

Now let’s take a look at another part of our postal system: E-Zone. For NAƒ 125 per year (senior citizens NAƒ 75) you can subscribe to this service and get your mail and packages faster, and some say cheaper. A US address in Miami is made available to subscribers where your mail and packages can be sent. Your things are then shipped direct from Miami to Bonaire via Curaçao and you collect them at the post office. The three times a week shipments seem to be keeping customers happy. However, in or-der to make the post office happy, another person is needed to work in this area as E-Zone business is booming and mail is stack-ing up.

Now we get to the part that is probably most interesting to you. ‘Where in the world is my mail?’ you ask. Well here’s the sad story. The island is divided into four deliv-ery zones. The Kralendijk zone is the big-gest with thousands of pieces of mail to be

delivered each day. The next zone is a com-bination of Sabadeco, Hato, and Belnem, big population wise and geographically far apart. Part 3 is Rincon and part 4 is every-body else. Bear in mind that each driver must come to the post office every morning at 8 am and determine which mail goes on their route; then they must organize it and load it into their cars. You will note that I say load the mail into their cars, not big blue mail trucks. Replenishing their mail stock several times a day cuts down tremendously on available delivery time as you can fit only so much mail in a car at one time. Nev-ertheless by 10 am they’re on their way across the island delivering until 3 or 4 in the afternoon. Sounds easy? Well, it’s not. It’s a slow, time consuming process using antiquated methods. Personally, under the circumstances, I think we’re lucky to get any mail at all. My hat is off to the men and women at the P.O. who are doing a difficult job. Having seen the jobs they face each day, I promise that I will no longer think unpleasant thoughts about Bonaire mail delivery.

To briefly sum things up, at this time the Postal Chief in Curaçao is being asked to approve one more person to work in E-Zone, one more person on the delivery route, and one more person in administra-tion to work as a cashier. A representative is supposed to come from Curaçao to Bonaire to evaluate these needs. When? ‘Soon,’ they say. Will we get what we need? Who knows. In the meantime we shall muddle along the best we can but with a new appre-ciation of the inside story of how our post office works. If you need your mail sooner than it can be delivered you can always be your own personal mail deliverer and go collect your mail at the post office. And while you’re there be sure to thank everyone for a job well done.

Dabney Lassiter For rates and other

postal information go to http://www.npostna.com/


????

T

HAPPENING SOON

************************* Art Show Renate van der Bijl

“Moments in Time,” at The Plaza Resort The show will continue until April 13. See story on page 6.

Art Show Ronald Verhoeven at

Kas di Arte. Exhibit will continue until April 3. Monday-Friday 10 am-12 noon, 2 to 7 pm. See story on page 6.

Sunday, March 15— “Taste of

Bonaire” - Bonaire’s restaurants offer sample dishes, NAƒ 7,50 each. At Wilhelmina Park, 5 to 9 pm

Friday, March 20—Vernal

Equinox. See page 19 Sunday, March 22- Windsurf

from Bonaire to Curaçao to benefit Erwin Muller. Story in the last edition of The Bonaire Re-porter. Rescheduled from March 8.

Wednesday, March 25, lecture at

CIEE by Roy R. Lewis III (Certified Environmental Profes-sional, National Association of En-vironmental Professionals Profes-sional Wetland Scientist, Society of Wetland Scientists Certified Senior Ecologist, Ecological Society of America) Subject: "Mangrove and Seagrass Management and Restora-tion." Kaya Gob. Debrot 26, 7 pm

Saturday, March 28 – Earth Hour

- WWF movement for climate change awareness. Turn off your lights from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm. See story in Feb. 27 issue of The Reporter

Saturday, March 28, Sunday,

March 29—Carib Fine Art Sale Exhibition of Caribbean paintings, metal screens & wooden sculp-tures. Kaya Fidelia #1, Antriol (behind Jehova Church) . Saturday, 6 to 8 pm; Sunday 1-5 pm.

CRUISE SHIP SCHEDULE

Crafts Markets at Wilhelmina Park on Cruise Ship Days, usually 10 am to 2 pm

Wed., Mar. 11—Caribbean Prin-cess

Fri., Mar. 13-Enchantment of the Seas

Mon., Mar. 16—Emerald Prin-cess

Tues., Mar. 17—Sea Princess Wed., Mar. 18—Summit Fri., Mar. 20—Ocean Village Mon. Mar. 23—Aida Aura Wed., Mar. 25—Caribbean Prin-

cess Fri., Mar. 27—Enchantment of

the Seas

REGULAR EVENTS • By appointment – Rooi

Lamoenchi Kunuku Park Tours $21 (includes tax). Discounts for resi-dents and local people. Tel. 717-8489, 540-9800.

• Parke Publico children’s play-ground open every day into the eve-ning hours.

Saturdays • Rincon Marshé—6 am-2 pm. Enjoy a Bonairean breakfast while you shop, fresh fruits and vegetables, gifts, local sweets, snacks, arts, handicrafts, candles, incense, drinks, music. Big Marché first Saturday of the Month—www.infobonaire.com/rincon. • Flea Market at Parke Publico every first Saturday of the month, 3 to 7 pm. Everyone welcome to buy and to sell. NAƒ10 per selling table.(NAƒ 5 goes to up-keep the park). NGOs can have a free table. More in-formation and reservations for a spot call Vicky Bissessar - 786 1592.

• Soldachi Tours—See the real Bonaire and be transported back in time. Learn about the history, culture and nature by Bonaireans from Rincon. Call Maria Koeks for more informa-tion—796-7870.

Mondays

• Soldachi Tours of Rincon, the heart of Bonaire, 9 am-noon. $20-Call Maria, 717-6435-best island tour value

Fridays

• Harbour Village Tennis, Social Round Robin 7-10 pm. $10 per person. Cash bar. All invited. Call Elisabeth Vos at 565-5225 FREE SLIDE/VIDEO SHOWS Sunday– Creature Feature– John and Suzie Wall of Buddy’s Digital photo center present a multimedia slide pres-entation about Buddy’s House Reef - pool bar Buddy Dive, 6:30-7 pm, 717-5080 Monday-Dee Scarr’s Touch the Sea Slide Presentation, Capt. Don’s Habi-tat, 8:30 pm. 717-8529

Tuesday —Sea Turtle Conserva-tion Bonaire presents the Sea Turtles of Bonaire Slide Show. Every 1st & 3rd Tuesday, Buddy Dive Resort, 7pm—717-3802.

Tuesday-- Bonaire Land and Ocean

presentation by Fish-Eye Photo staff, 7pm on the big screen inside the Sun-set Bar and Grill at Den Laman Condo-miniums.

Wednesday– Sea Turtle Conserva-tion Bonaire presents the Sea Turtles of Bonaire Slide Show, every 2nd & 4th Wednesday at Bruce Bowker's Carib Inn (717-8819) at 7pm. BONAIRE’S TRADITIONS Kas Krioyo Rincon—Step into Bonaire’s past in this venerable old home that has been restored and furnished so it appears the family has just stepped out. Local ladies will tell you the story. Open Monday thru Friday, 9 –12, 2-4. Weekends by appointment. Call 717-2445.

Mangasina di Rei, Rincon. Enjoy the view from “The King’s Storehouse.” Learn

about Bonaire’s culture. Visit homes from the 17th century. Daily. Call 717-4060 / 790-2018 Bonaire Museum on Kaya J. v.d. Ree, behind the Catholic Church in town. Open weekdays from 8 am-noon, 1:30-5 pm. Tel. 717-8868 Washington-Slagbaai National Park, Museum and Visitors’ Center. Open daily 8 am-5 pm. Closed on some holi-days. 717-8444/785-0017

CLUBS and MEETINGS AA meetings - every Wednesday at

7pm; every Sunday at 5pm. Phone: 786-7699.

Al-Anon meetings - every Monday evening at 7 pm. Call 790-7272

Weekly Bonaire Talker Gathering and Dinner at Gibi's - Tuesday - 6:30 pm - call 567-0655 for directions.

Bridge Club - Wednesdays, 7.30 pm— All levels, NAƒ2,50. Call Joop 717-5903 for venue.

Darts Club plays every other Sun-

day at City Café. Registration at 4, games at 5. Tel. 717-2950, 560-7539.

JCI - First Wednesday of the Month- Junior Chamber International Bonaire (JCI Bonaire, formerly known as Bon-aire Jaycees) meets at the ABVO building, Kaminda Jato Baco 36 from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. Everyone is welcome. Contact: Renata Domacassé 516-4252. Kiwanis Club meets at APNA Plaza, Kaya International, every other Tues-day, 7 pm. Tel. 717-5595, Jeannette Rodriguez. Lions Club meets every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at 8 pm at Kaya Sabana #1. All Lions welcome. For more information call 510-0710. Rotary lunch meetings Wednesday, 12 noon-2 pm - 'Pirate House', above ZeeZicht Restaurant. All Rotarians welcome. Tel. 717-2066

Toastmasters Club meets every two weeks. For more information call Cru-sita de Palm at 786-3827 or Lucia Mar-tinez Beck, at 786-2953.

CHURCH SERVICES

Protestant Congregation of Bonaire: Kralendijk, Wilhelminaplein. In Papia-mentu, Dutch, English, Sundays, 10 am. Rincon, Kaya C.D. Crestian, in Papia-mentu, Sundays, 8:30 am. Children’s club, Saturdays, 5 pm, in Kralendijk Sunday School, Sundays, 4 pm, in Rin-con. Bible Study and Prayer meetings, Thursdays, at 8 pm, Kralendijk. New Apostolic Church: Centro di Bario Nord Saliña , Sundays, 10 am. Services in Dutch. 700-0379 . International Bible Church of Bon-aire, at SGB High School auditorium (Kaya Frater Odulfinus, off Kaya Korona.) Sunday services in English at 9 am; Sunday evening prayer meet-ing at Pastor's home, 7 pm. Fridays, 6 to 8 pm, Light & Life Club, children 5

to 12 yrs. Tel. 717-8332. Catholic: San Bernardus in Kralendijk – Services, Sunday at 8 am and 7 pm in Papiamentu, 717-8304. Our Lady of Coromoto in Antriol, Saturday at 6 pm in English. Mass in Papiamentu on Sunday at 9 am and 6 pm. 717-4211. Assembly of God (Asemblea di Dios): Kaya Triton (Den Cheffi). In English, Dutch & Papiamentu on Sun-day at 10 am. Wednesday Prayer Meeting at 7:30 pm. 717-2194 Ministerio di Kristu Hesus Services Sunday mornings at 10 am at Jong Bon-aire Youth Center in English, Dutch and Papiamentu. Preaching the full gospel. Contact: 786-2557.

Prayer and Intercession Church, in English. A full Gospel Church lo-cated temporarily at Kaya Alexandrit # 20, Santa Barbara, Republiek. Services are held on Sunday mornings from 10am until 11:30am. Bible studies in English are on Monday nights from 7 to 8 pm. Contact: 717-3322

The Church of Jesus Christ of Lat-ter-day Saints: Kaya Sabana #26, Sundays: 9 am Sacrament Ser-vices (Translation to English and Papiamentu upon request) 10:20 Sunday School, 11:15 RS/YM/YW/PH Primary held from 10:20-12 noon Visi-tors Welcome: 701-9522 for Informa-tion

Send event info to:

The Bonaire Reporter Email [email protected]

Tel:790-6518, 786-6125

FULL DIGITAL SERVICES

FUJI MINI-LAB KODAK & FUJI FILM SLIDES E-6 PROCESSING PASSPORT PHOTOS BATTERIES CAMERAS FRAMES PHOTO ALBUMS GREETING CARDS DIGITAL AND MORE...

Les Galeries Shopping Center (Bordering the parking lot)

Tel. 717-5890 Open M-F 8:30-12, 2-6 pm,

Sat. 9-12

NOW! Digital Processing CDs, Cards, more


Hair Affair

We do our best to make your hair and make-

up wishes come true!! You can also come in for facials and facial waxing. We use and sell L’Oreal products

Is your plan to marry on the island? We can make you beautiful and stay beautiful for your happiest day.

Personal attention by Janneke Appointment by tel: 717-5990

or just walk in.

Downtown, near the waterfront next to Little Havana

Tues-Fri: 9-12, 2-6 Sat: 9-2 non stop

AIRLINES Divi Divi Air. Bonaire’s “on time airline” with 16 flights a day between Bonaire and Curaçao. Your first choice for inter-island travel. Now flying to Aruba. APPLIANCES /TV/ ELECTRONICS/ COM-PUTERS City Shop, the mega store, has the island’s widest se-lection of large and small home appliances, furniture, TV, computers, cell phones and more. Fast service and in-store financing too. BANKS Maduro and Curiel’s Bank provides the greatest number of services, branches and ATMs of any Bon-aire bank. They also offer investments and insurance. BEAUTY PARLOR Hair Affair. Expert hair cutting, styling, facials and facial waxing. BICYCLE / SCOOTER/ QUADS De Freewieler rents bikes, scooters and quads. Profes-sional repairs on almost anything on two wheels. Sells top brand bikes. Have your keys made here. INTERNET AND CELLULAR SERVICE MIO offers by far the clearest, most reliable phone signal on the island PLUS WIRELESS HIGH-SPEED INTERNET almost everywhere on Bonaire. DINING De Bonairiaan Restaurant-is a unique restaurant run by the students of the Stitchting Project with their advi-sors. Each day a different menu. Kaya J. A. Abraham Blvd., #21 (nearly across from Divi Resort) 717-6921, 786-6816

Inexpensive: Open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9 am—2 pm for Breakfast, Coffee and Lunch

Pasa Bon Pizza is Bonaire’s best. Freshly prepared piz-zas made with the finest ingredients. Salads, desserts. Eat in or take away. Nice bar too. On Kaya Gob. Debrot ½ mile north of town center. 780-1111 Call ahead to eat-in or take out Patagonia Argentinean Restaurant at the Lighthouse at Harbour Village Marina is the original family-owned and operated steakhouse and grill. Fabulous dining. Reservations 717-7725 Philips Cooking and Organizing is your personal chef for Private Dinners, Catering, Party Snacks and Wedding Services. Let Philip do it all www.philipscooking.com call 701-1100 DIVING Carib Inn is the popular 10-room inn with top-notch dive shop and well stocked retail store. Best book trade on Bonaire. Good prices on regulator repair, dive com-puter H.Q.

ScubaVision - Document your Bonaire vacation above and below the water with a custom DVD by Bonaire’s top videographer, Hendrik Wuyts WannaDive - They make diving fun. In town at City Café, at Eden Beach and Windsock Apartments . FITNESS Fit For Life at the Plaza Resort Mall. Classes in Pilates, Aerobics, TaeBo and more. Professional train-ers, fitness machines and classes for all levels. Top Health Bonaire Fitness and Health Center Modern workout rooms and machines, professional trainers and low prices make it easy to lose weight and get fit. GARDEN SUPPLIES AND SERVICES Green Label has everything you need to start or main-tain your garden. They can design, install and maintain it and offer plants, irrigation supplies and garden chemi-cals. Now in new expanded location off Kaya Industria. PEST CONTROL Professional Pest Control. Call Peter to get rid of all those nasty pets like termites, fleas, ticks and ants that want to invade your home. Call now and save your investment in your home. PHOTO FINISHING Paradise Photo in the Galeries Shopping Center downtown offers fast, fine processing for prints, slides, items and services. Full digital services. REAL ESTATE / RENTAL AGENTS Bonaire Sunshine Homes is the realtor with a local touch. Ask them to show you the good value homes they list. Call them if you are thinking of selling your home. Bonaire Partners—Rental and Property management specialists. If you have a place to rent call them Caribbean Homes, “the Refreshing Realtor,” special-izing in luxury homes, condos, lots, rentals and prop-erty management. Re/Max Paradise Homes: Lots of choices in real es-tate—International/US connections. 5% of profits do-nated to local community. List with them to sell fast. Sunbelt Realty offers full real estate, rental, and insur-ance services. If you want a home or to invest in Bon-aire, stop in and see them. RETAIL Benetton, world famous designer clothes available now in Bonaire at prices less than those in US. For men, women and children.

Best Buddies and Pearls—Stunning fresh water pearl jewelry, fashion, gifts, t shirts. Wonderful service, free gift wrap. SECURITY Special Security Services will provide that extra measure of protection when you need it. Always reli-able. SHIPPING Rocargo Freight Air and sea shipments in/out of Bon-aire. Customs agents. Professional and efficient. FedEx agent. What would we do without their superb ser-vices? SUPERMARKETS The Island Supplier (TIS)-Enjoy shopping the “Caribbean Way’ – fresh, open air feeling with rea-sonably priced produce, frozen meats, canned goods, wide selection of beverages and juices. Good rum se-lection. Warehouse Supermarket on Kaya Industria—Biggest air conditioned market with the, largest selec-tion and lowest prices on the island. WATER TAXI Get to Klein Bonaire by Ferry. Ride the Kantika di Amor or Skiffy. Hotel pickup. Easiest landing on Klein Bonaire with built-in ramp WINES Antillean Wine Company. You’ve tried the rest; now try the best: best prices, highest quality wines from around the world, kept in a cooled warehouse. Free delivery. Kaya Industria 23, Mon.-Sat. 9 am-noon.

Fortnightly Advertisers in The Bonaire Reporter are

included in the guides. Free! Call 790-6518, 786-6518

Or email [email protected]

Check CARIB INN First. Great Prices –Great Stock

Scuba Sales Repair - Replacement

New Gear - Accessories

Always Great Values

Dive gear specials

CARIB INN Since 1980

PADI 5 STAR GOLD PALM 717-8819 - 8 am to 5 pm daily

(next to Divi Flamingo Hotel)

Bonaire is getting more visitors.

Let them know about your business or

restaurant with an ad in The Reporter.

Placement in the guide is free for our advertisers.

Call 790-6518 or 786-6518 for information

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S oon residents and visitors of Bonaire will be enjoying

vegetables with fewer frequent flier miles but a lot more flavor. Vine ripened tomatoes, eggplant, lettuce, herbs and other produce grown only a few kilometers from the table and picked just hours before consumption. M-m-m-m-m. Can’t you just taste it!

Bon Bini Farm, a new hydro-

ponic agricultural project on the island, has been in test operation since August 2008 and will begin scale-up efforts starting in June. Within the next year or so they will be producing bushels of these fresh vegetables and herbs for local restaurants and super-markets.

Currently located on a kunuku in Antriol, the pilot farm has been testing over 10 varieties of tomatoes, and four types of cu-cumbers, peppers and basil to find which ones are best for the Bonaire environment.

Pilot Farm There are 23 hydroponic

‘stackers’ and three large tubs for vegetables on a 40 by 40 foot (12.2m X 12.2m) plot at the pilot farm. Each stacker holds about 20 plants that are watered four times a day by a computer-controlled drip system. The cur-rent system uses only about 1.5 cubic meters of water a month for the 350 plants that are grow-ing.

Jan Jaap van Almenkerk, op-erations manager for the project, says he now has a very good Bonaire basil and two types of tomato that seem to perform well here. He is also having good success with a seedless cucum-ber, two types of peppers, aru-

gula and finally has flowers on his broccoli. They are also grow-ing an herb called stevia, that can be used by diabetics as a sweet-ener. At any one time there might be 20 to 25 different prod-ucts growing at the farm.

Andrea Magni, chef-owner at Capriccio Restaurant, is enthusi-astic about the locally grown food. “You can smell the flavor of a vine ripened tomato and it makes a big difference,” says Chef Andrea. Most imported tomatoes are bred for transport and not taste. They are picked when they are hard and green and then sprayed with a hormone to allow for ripening. In the USA it is estimated that most foods travel about 1,500 miles from farm to table.

Bon Bini Farm will take all those miles away and allow for ripening time on the vine. They plan to stagger the planting of crops so that there will be ripe tomatoes every day of the year.

“The basil is also perfect,” says Chef Andrea. “It’s not too minty and not too strong. A nice Italian flavor.” He would know since he comes from Milano.

Capriccio and another local restaurant have been testing the products from Bon Bini Farm since November and providing feedback to help determine which varieties to pursue. “What is so good is their attention to quality and their knowledge,” says Chef Andrea. “They won’t sell a product if it is not up to their high standards,” he added.

Agricultural Engineer Almenkerk, who is a tropical

agricultural engineer from the University of Deventer, is just what Bonaire needs considering the dry, salty, desert environ-ment. He says it’s the most ex-treme location he has had to deal with. Before Bonaire, he worked 10 years in Surinam and Nicaragua on agricultural pro-jects, and before that he spent 15 years on rural projects in Hol-land.

“For Bonaire I have to lower

the pH of the water from 8.4 to 6.3 and then must cool the water before it reaches the plants,” says Almenkerk. “We also control the nitrogen, calcium, phosphate, potassium and 15 micro ele-ments.”

But this is just the nutrition for the plants, which grow on stands produced by Hydro Stacker in Florida. He also has to deal with ants, birds, lizards, high salty wind and the sun. Rain can even be a problem since, when it does fall, it can be very strong and overwhelm the hydroponic sys-tem.

Almenkerk specialized in plant diseases and control during his studies and aims for a ‘bio-organic’ farm. One of his tricks for dealing with the ants on Bon-aire is to spread a line of baking flour around the edge of the growing area. A wall and roof made of sun shading and a solid ground cover help deal with many of the bird and lizard prob-lems, but a rain-capturing roof is in the plan for the new location. For white fly and aphids he will use an organic spray with soap to keep the Bonaire produce safe.

Expanded Operation The expanded hydroponics

farm will be located near LVV where they hope to use rainwater most of the year and will power the equipment with a wind gen-erator. The farm will cover two acres (0.8 Ha) of land and will be 10 times the size of the pilot farm, starting with 250 Hydro Stackers feeding 4,000 plants. Over the next five years they expect to grow to about 1,000 stacks, with 15,000 to 20,000 plants in production.

There is also the possibility of adding fruit trees around the farm, once the vegetable project is underway. By 2014 Bon Bini Farm expects to supply about 30% of Bonaire’s produce. Vegetables like onions and car-rots will not be grown locally because of the climate.

Naturally, this size farm will require labor and the plan is to train locals for the work. Almen-

kerk is already training two young men who have shown an interest in the farm, but more will be needed as they scale up the production, which will help boost the local economy. One study of food production shows that every dollar spent with a local food supplier is worth $2.50 for the community.

Bon Bini Farm is owned by Ron and Marti Newlon, from Alabama, who are long time visi-tors to Bonaire. On one trip to the island they were visiting LVV to discuss the potential of hydroponic farming and met Almenkerk there. Bon Bini Farm emerged from that acciden-tal meeting.

Marti Newlon is a master gar-dener and Ron is an aeronautical

engineer who specializes in con-trol system designs. Both New-lons are scuba divers and have a high respect for the Bonaire en-vironment. Since the plants are grown in a mixture of Perlite and Vermiculite and in planters on poles, the nutrients are taken up by the plants and don’t enter into the ground. This stacker system also prevents soil borne diseases.

Soon Bonaire will be trading in its well-traveled vegetables for locally grown products and en-joying the luxury of fresh home-grown flavor.

For more infor-mation: [email protected]. Story & Pho-

tos by Jane Townsend

Jan Jaap with some of the support equipment mentioned in the story

Close-up view of the stackers

Bonaire’s garden of the future can supply some of our fresh food needs


N ext week on Friday, March 20, at exactly 7:44 am Sky Park Time the Sun will lie smack dab on the Celestial Equator, which marks the very first

moment of the beginning of spring for the northern hemisphere and the first mo-ment of autumn for the southern hemisphere, so happy spring to you northerners and happy autumn to you southerners. Now if someone asked you why is spring called spring? Would you be able to give them a good answer? Well, simply put, we use the word spring to mark the begin-ning of the new season because it is an abbreviation for the phrases 'spring of the leaf' and 'spring of the year'. Now 'spring of the leaf' is pretty obvious because at this time of the year in the northern hemisphere leaves literally do spring up out of branches, and grass and flowers spring up out of the ground. And that's why we call spring, spring. But do you know why we also call this time the spring of the year? Well, before 1752 in England and America the new year officially began when spring began on March 25th. Or to put it quite simply the New Year sprang up at the same time the leaves and the grass did. In fact all American colonists wished each other Happy New Year and Happy Spring on the same day on March 25th until English parliament declared that beginning in 1752 the new year would no longer begin in March but would be celebrated on January 1st, a tradition begun by the Romans in 153 B.C. But, lest we forget, the first day of spring is strictly speaking an astronomical event which marks one of the two days when our Sun is smack dab on the Celestial Equa-tor, the other date being the first day of autumn. You see these are the only two days of the year when the Sun rises exactly due east and sets due west. It was just one of several astronomical signposts our ancient ancestors used to help them deter-mine the seasons, which was very important for their planting schedules. Day and night are about equal in length all over the world during the equinoxes, because the Sun is positioned above the Equator. Today the first day of spring barely gets a passing mention in the media, except, of course, in The Reporter. Starting early next week if you go to work around sunrise on a due east highway, like the coast to coast Sorobon road, Kaya van Epps, notice how closely the Sun rises to the center of the road. Then on Friday, the first day of spring, watch it rise directly over the yellow line. Plus vice versa, watch the Sun set directly over the yellow line which means you better get out your sun glasses or put your sun visors down. Happy first day of spring, and happy old New Year. Jack Horkheimer

*to find it... just look up ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20)You have to

believe in yourself and your talents. You will have problems with coworkers if you are too extreme about doing things per-fectly. You mustn't take on other people's responsibilities or you may find yourself irritable and exhausted. You can make changes to your domestic scene that will benefit all who reside there. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Try not to get involved in other people's problems. Be prepared to step into the limelight if you wish to promote your ambitions. Chil-dren may be less than honest with you. So smile! Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Thursday.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Look for something entertaining to do. You've got that competitive edge. Rest and relaxation will be more favorable than you think. You can have a great time if you go out with the one you love. You need to keep the peace and you will have to bend in order to do so. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Saturday.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) You can make changes that will enhance your ap-pearance. Talk to employers in order to promote your career objectives. Joining organizations will provide you with stimu-lating romantic contacts. Secret enemies will be eager to spread rumors about you. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday. LEO (July 23-Aug 22) You may enjoy doing something musical for entertain-ment. Don't bother retaliating, just walk away. You will be highly entertaining when in contact with your lover. You can make excellent career moves if you are open to the opportunities that exist. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Friday. VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) You will find yourself tied to the phone. Your en-ergy will be high. You can make excellent investments if you are in the right place at the right time. Children might be on your mind. Don't hesitate to make special plans just for two. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Your social

skills with people may be more than just helpful. Your diplomatic nature will help you in straightening out unsavory situa-tions. Cultural activities will prove to be quite enlightening for everyone. Don't let those close to you get under your skin. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Look to a close friend for advice. You will be in the doghouse if you are being cocky. Take time to talk things over. Travel for busi-ness or pleasure. Loans will be attainable and legal matters easily taken care of. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Don't let the moods of those you live with get you down. Family outings will make you feel secure and happy. Take a look at the possibilities of starting a small part time business with friends or rela-tives. You need to be careful not to make promises that you can't fulfill. Your lucki-est events this month will occur on a Mon-day. CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) You should get out and meet some of those clients that you only speak to on the phone. You may be fortunate while travel-ing. Your pursuits may end up being fruit-less. Things will be emotional with your mate. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Saturday. AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) Exercise programs will be effective. You may find it impossible to get the rest you require. You must steer clear of overindulgent individuals. You may jump from the fry-ing pan into the fire if you make a move this month. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday. PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) You will be emotional about money matters. Try to be a bit more understanding or you may end up spending the evening alone. One of your female friends may try to disrupt your day. Stand up for your rights. Control your anger. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday.

Happy First Day Of Spring!

By Astrologer Michael Thiessen For March 2009

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